Head of Business Operations / COO

About OKX At OKX, we believe that the future will be reshaped by crypto, and ultimately contribute to every individual's freedom. OKX is a leading crypto exchange, and the developer of OKX Wallet, giving millions access to crypto trading and decentralized crypto applications (dApps). OKX is also a trusted brand by hundreds of large institutions seeking access to crypto markets. We are safe and reliable, backed by our Proof of Reserves. Across our multiple offices globally, we are united by our core principles: We Before Me, Do the Right Thing, and Get Things Done. These shared values drive our culture, shape our processes, and foster a friendly, rewarding, and diverse environment for every OK-er. OKX is part of OKG, a group that brings the value of Blockchain to users around the world, through our leading products OKX, OKX Wallet, OKLink and more. OKX is entering an important phase of development. We are seeking a hands-on Chief Operating Officer (COO) to partner with the local CEO in executing the future UK strategy and developing the operating model. About The Role As UK Chief Operating Officer, you will operate at the intersection of strategy, operations, product and regulatory market structure, combining commercial judgement with hands-on execution. This is not a conventional crypto operations or strategy role. You will work closely with the local CEO and as part of a lean local leadership team, acting as an integrator who drives delivery across global stakeholders rather than managing large local teams. You will translate high-level business objectives into clear execution plans, operating rhythms, KPIs and measurable outcomes. Your focus will include supporting the regulatory and licensing readiness, future operating-model development, market positioning and the assessment of potential future products and services. Any future operational build-out, product expansion or implementation of the prospective UK strategy will remain subject to applicable regulatory requirements and the receipt of any necessary approvals. What You’ll Be Doing Operations & Strategy • Lead high-impact strategic initiatives, including business planning, organisational design, market positioning and development of the prospective UK operating model. • Translate strategic objectives into detailed execution plans, operating rhythms and delivery milestones, and personally drive them through to completion across global functions. • Develop and track operational KPIs covering regulatory readiness, delivery progress, customer outcomes, cost efficiency and risk management. • Support the local CEO and partner with leadership teams on strategic planning, prioritisation and execution. Commercial Strategy & Growth • Support the development of the prospective UK commercial strategy, including market positioning, client acquisition and potential growth opportunities. • Identify initiatives that could deliver measurable revenue and margin improvement in the future, including potential enhancements to pricing, products and the client funnel. • Develop commercial operating rhythms, including targets, forecasts and performance reviews, to connect future ambitions with execution. • Ensure that commercial plans are appropriately sequenced and remain subject to applicable regulatory requirements and approvals. Strategic Execution & Delivery • Own day-to-day delivery across cross-functional workstreams, navigating operational detail and resolving delivery challenges directly. • Design and develop operational processes, governance arrangements and delivery disciplines required to support the prospective UK business. • Establish operational and organisational readiness for licensing milestones, regulatory reviews and potential future product or service launches. • Coordinate dependencies across local and global teams to ensure plans are realistic, appropriately governed and capable of implementation if the necessary approvals are obtained. Regulatory & Risk Management • Work closely with Legal, Compliance and Risk teams to support licensing workstreams, regulatory reviews, audits and supervisory engagement. • Support the design and embedding of applicable UK regulatory standards into prospective operational workflows. • Help establish effective first-line ownership of operational risks, controls, risk registers, incident-management processes and governance documentation. • Ensure that strategic and operational plans do not assume the outcome of any pending regulatory application or approval process. Product Strategy & Localisation • Contribute to the assessment, definition and prioritisation of the prospective UK product roadmap, working closely with Product and Engineering teams. • Help assess whether potential products and services are appropriate for the UK market, customer base and regulatory environment. • Support operational readiness and internal alignment for potential future product development, localisation and launch. • Ensure that no future product or service is implemented without the necessary internal governance and regulatory approvals. Data, Analytics & AI • Help develop data, analytics and AI capabilities to support client insights, executive decision-making, KPI improvement and future client-funnel optimisation. • Promote the responsible and effective use of data and technology within applicable legal, regulatory and risk-management frameworks. Cross-functional Collaboration & Industry Engagement • Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Compliance, Legal, Marketing and Customer Operations teams locally and globally. • Represent the prospective UK business credibly in digital-asset discussions, including regulatory, policy and market-structure developments. • Support constructive engagement with relevant industry participants and stakeholders, as appropriate. • Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, accountability and disciplined execution across global teams. What We Look For In You • 5-10+ years of experience across operations and strategy in crypto, digital assets, fintech or high-growth regulated financial services - for example as Head of Operations, Head of Strategy, COO, Chief of Staff or a similarly broad leadership role. • Comfortable in fast-paced, high-growth environments; high-performance and entrepreneurial mindset. • Demonstrated experience helping build, scale or transform a digital asset, fintech or high-growth financial services business. • Strong commercial acumen with a demonstrated track record of driving revenue growth, market share expansion or P&L improvement through pricing, product and funnel optimisation. • A hands-on operator, equally comfortable setting strategy and rolling sleeves up in the operational detail of day-to-day delivery within a lean team. • Strong understanding of the UK crypto and digital assets landscape, including retail, institutional and payments sectors. • Proven ability to manage risk, drive cross-functional execution and build scalable operational processes. • Strong commercial judgement, leadership, and stakeholder management skills; fluent in English with excellent communication abilities. • Bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics, or a related field. What Will Make You Stand Out • Experience in a licensed or licensing-stage crypto, fintech or financial institution in the UK, including direct exposure to FCA regulatory engagement. • Track record of P&L ownership and commercial performance improvement in a fintech or digital assets business. • Demonstrated success launching and scaling 0→1 products in regulated or rapidly evolving markets. • Experience establishing data, analytics or AI capabilities to drive commercial and operational decision-making. • Credibility as a market participant in UK digital asset regulatory, policy and market structure discussions. Why Join OKX? • Play a pivotal role in building a credible, well-governed and locally accountable crypto business. • Shape the direction of a business at the stage where the right person can have meaningful impact. • Collaborate with world-class professionals in a high-growth industry. • Competitive compensation and benefits. Ready to Reshape Finance? At OKX, we're on a mission to make crypto accessible, secure, and transformative for the next billion users. Join us and help shape the future of finance. Apply now! Perks & Benefits • Competitive total compensation package • L&D programs and Education subsidy for employees' growth and development • Various team building programs and company events • Comprehensive healthcare schemes for employees and dependents • More that we love to tell you along the process! Notice: All official OKX vacancies are published on this website. While roles may appear on selected third-party platforms from time to time, information on other sites may be inaccurate or outdated. If in doubt, please apply directly through our official careers website. Information collected and processed as part of the recruitment process of any job application you choose to submit is subject to OKX's Candidate Privacy Notice.